Stories of High Tech Activity Bring People and Companies in the Region Alive

Heathrow, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2017) – The Corridor is charged to grow high tech industry in a 23-county region and new stories of that growth have been shared by the organization in its digital magazine.

A glimpse into new stories…

Have you ever written something off as ‘impossible’ only to be happily proved wrong?

Niko Pamboukas knows that feeling. His son, Zachary Pamboukas, was born without an arm and has spent most of his life getting creative when tasks, like riding a bicycle, called for using two arms. Niko had written off a ‘normal’ life for his son, Zachary, until they were introduced to Orlando’s Limbitless Solutions. The company creates bionic arms for children at the fraction of market cost using 3-D printing technology.

It is in good company among leaders in research, patient care and a medical city that represent health care innovation happening in The Corridor.

The Corridor is also home to a unique credential in biotechnology earned through the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), which is often taken before graduating high school. It was created by the University of Florida’s Biotility, an organization focused on building a biotechnology workforce, to help students develop and validate skills in high demand by private industry. It has gained prestige as it was adopted in Florida and Arizona, and piloted in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. Syngenta, a worldwide agritechnology company, has hired recent high school graduates because of the credential.

Lastly, our region is known for creating unbelievable experiences. Visitors flock to Florida and are met with entertainment technology at various venues that deliver lasting memories. Theme parks come to mind, but the behind-the-scenes high tech work is not limited to these thrill rides. The Corridor has more to offer.

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF). The mission of The Corridor is to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship.

A partnership involving more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs), 14 state colleges and 12 CareerSource boards, The Corridor is co-chaired by the presidents of UCF, USF and UF. The Corridor includes the presidents of two state colleges, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology and representatives of high tech industry.

The unique partnership has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that supports matching funds research, marketing, workforce development and entrepreneurship leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.

Media Contacts:

We would be happy to put you in contact with industry experts who can speak to a variety of technology topics in their area of expertise. For a preview of the leaders who can share their experience in growing tech-based businesses in the Corridor, explore the videos of our Faces of Technology.